Venus Williams: 'I miss being out there'

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With the Australian Open right around the corner, tennis star Venus Williams is eager to get back on the court. The No. 5 ranked singles player in the world was hampered most of the year with a knee injury, preventing the 30-year-old from winning a Grand Slam.

Off the court, Williams had a busy summer. In June, she released her first book titled Come to Win: Business Leaders, Artists, Doctors, and Other Visionaries on How Sports Can Help You Top Your Profession. And in July, Williams was named the 2010 YWCA of Greater Los Angeles Phenomenal Woman of the Year Award.

Williams was at the YWCA Hollywood Studio Club on Thursday to help spread the word about getting active through the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, challenging people to complete 30-60 minutes of activity, five days a week for six weeks.

She chatted with theGrio after demonstrating EA Sports “Active 2,” a new interactive fitness program, to a group of young girls in the YWCA Job Corps program.

theGrio: How is your knee and will you be ready for the Australian Open?

Venus Williams: I’m beginning to prepare for the Australian Open. I’m doing pretty good. I miss being out there, so I’m ready to get back.

How long do you feel you can play tennis at a top level?

Well as long as I’m playing well, I will be out there on the courts. That’s what it’s really determined by.

Have you and Serena discussed retirement and if you two would leave the sport together?

No, we haven’t.

From a personal standpoint, what else do you want to accomplish in your playing career?

I just want to keep challenging myself to get better and to keep challenging myself to take the game to new levels. That’s really what it’s about at this point for me. And of course keep adding more titles to my resume.

What’s the one thing or piece of advice you took away from writing Come to Win: Business Leaders, Artists, Doctors, and Other Visionaries on How Sports Can Help You Top Your Profession?

I think the one piece of advice I got was just encouragement when you don’t reach where you want to. It’s not necessarily a failure but it can actually be a real stepping-stone to success. I feel like I lived those experiences without even verbalizing them. I think the book really verbalizes that sometimes you might not make where you want to go to, but it doesn’t mean you aren’t on the way.

Why did you feel it was important to get on board with the NFL and the Miami Dolphins as a part owner?

It was really just an opportunity. Of course I love the sport, so there was a natural connection. It was a wonderful opportunity and a wonderful place.

How closely do you follow the Dolphins?

I follow every week. Every injury. Every trade. Every nuance. I love the team.

The Miami Dolphins are running out of quarterbacks. Did head coach Tony Sparano call you about trying out?

[Laughs] I know. We will make it though. We’re fighters so we are going to get there.

Five years from now, what do you see yourself doing?

Of course tennis. Hopefully my game will still be great. I love design, so I will be doing fashion design. I have a design company called “V-Star Interiors.” I’m in school for interior design. Hopefully in another three or four years, I’ll be done. It takes a little longer with the day job, but I’m going to try to fast track it.

Why is it important that Americans get active and work out?

It’s super important. Healthy lifestyle is really what it’s all about. In America, a lot of us have lost track and there are a lot of us on track. Those of us that are on track really need to help everyone get active. That’s really why I’m doing this EA Sports “Active 2.” It’s really exciting for me.